IceHogs News

The Rockford IceHogs dyed the MetroCentre ice pink for Friday's game against Peoria. (Photo by Greg Hamil)

Rockford improves to 3-2-1-1 against Peoria on the season with the win

Rockford, Ill.- It was Pink in the Rink but red in the eyes of the Rockford IceHogs as the squad rebounded from a difficult loss on Wednesday to take a 4-2 win over the Peoria Rivermen on Friday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

"It's a division game and nobody was happy with the way Wednesday went," said Rockford center Matt Keith. "It's all about how you come back and regroup. Tonight was a big win for us."

The Hogs raised $8,970 and the Rockford IceHogs Booster Club added an additional $1,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure's breast cancer research efforts as a part of the inaugural Pink in the Rink promotion.

After a scoreless first period, winger Jack Skille gave Rockford the 1-0 lead at 6:01 in the second. Kyle Greentree and Richard Petiot had the helpers. Greentree picked up his own rebound on a power play and then dished to Skille who beat Ben Bishop.

Chris Porter evened the score at one at 16:00 with assists from Ryan Reaves and Cam Paddock.

But Greentree took the lead right back with his team-leading 18th goal of the season at 16:45 when he grabbed the puck in front of the net and sent it home. Skille and Bracken Kearns were credited with the helpers.

Then Jonas Junland scored his 10th of the campaign at 18:54 to even the score again. Pascal Pelletier and Justin Fletcher had the assists.

In the third period, Jake Dowell tipped in a blast by Simon Danis-Pepin from the blue line at 3:14 to take the lead back. Brian Connelly also had an assist.

And Keith added an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:12 to finish off the Rivermen.

Corey Crawford was tested several times in the game including a big four-on-three penalty kill that lasted 1:54.

"He was just unreal," Keith said of Crawford. "He won us the game there in the third period on that four-on-three."

Both goalies put on a show in the game. Crawford was stellar with 27 saves in the win, while Bishop stopped 31 pucks in the loss. The Rivermen were 0-for-6 on the power play, and Rockford potted one goal in five tries.

Next Home Game: Feb. 3 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans 21-and over will receive an IceHogs glass mug courtesy of Bud Light. All high school and college students with a valid student ID can purchase the best available seat for just $10 at the MetroCentre's Box Office up to one hour prior to the game with the WXRX Student Rush program.